On January 1, 2010, the sales tax in Franklin County will increase by one cent. Franklin County Schools Superintendent Gary Williams proposed the hike. Williams says he didn't have much of a choice - it was either ask for a tax increase or let the school system fall deeper into debt.
"Our backs were to the wall," says Williams. "Of course, we don't want to put a hardship on anyone with the sales tax, but we had no where else to turn."
Because of proration over the last two years, the school system is $3.5 million in debt. Each month, the school system is short $280,000 to pay teacher salaries. Williams says they've already exhausted $2.7 million of their $3 million line of credit. According to Williams, the tax increase will help the system stay afloat.
"This one cent is not going to help us improve our technology or to give teachers anymore classroom supply money, but it will allow us to make our payroll and pay our bills," explains Williams.
On Monday, the Franklin County Commission approved the one cent increase to the existing sales tax of five cents. Revenue from the tax will be split 58 percent to the county schools and 42 percent to the city schools. The county is expected to be paid an estimated $1.1 million. The resolution passed with a 3-1 vote. District 4 Commissioner Don Hastings cast the only vote in opposition.
"Let me make this clear," says Hastings. "I am not against education. I am for it. The majority of the people that put me in office were against the sales tax, so I had to go with my gut feeling."
The one cent sales tax increase goes into effect on January 1, 2010. For the increase to be permanent, the voters must approve it and they'll get their say during a countywide referendum in June 2010. If voters do approve it, the hike would last two years.
"Our backs were to the wall," says Williams. "Of course, we don't want to put a hardship on anyone with the sales tax, but we had no where else to turn."
Because of proration over the last two years, the school system is $3.5 million in debt. Each month, the school system is short $280,000 to pay teacher salaries. Williams says they've already exhausted $2.7 million of their $3 million line of credit. According to Williams, the tax increase will help the system stay afloat.
"This one cent is not going to help us improve our technology or to give teachers anymore classroom supply money, but it will allow us to make our payroll and pay our bills," explains Williams.
On Monday, the Franklin County Commission approved the one cent increase to the existing sales tax of five cents. Revenue from the tax will be split 58 percent to the county schools and 42 percent to the city schools. The county is expected to be paid an estimated $1.1 million. The resolution passed with a 3-1 vote. District 4 Commissioner Don Hastings cast the only vote in opposition.
"Let me make this clear," says Hastings. "I am not against education. I am for it. The majority of the people that put me in office were against the sales tax, so I had to go with my gut feeling."
The one cent sales tax increase goes into effect on January 1, 2010. For the increase to be permanent, the voters must approve it and they'll get their say during a countywide referendum in June 2010. If voters do approve it, the hike would last two years.
